Abstract: The present invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds with at least one blunt end comprising at least one 3?-end of formula wherein X is O or S R1 and R2 are independently OH, NH2, SH, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms and functional groups, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S or a functional group selected from the group OH, NH2, SH, carboxylic acid or ester; or R1 and R2 may be of formula Y-Z where Y is O, N, S and Z is H, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S; and wherein said double-stranded RNA mediates RNA interference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an oligomeric compound made up of two or more individual oligomers, in which said oligomeric compound the individual oligomers are separated by a photocleavable linker, comprising the step of photoactively cleaving said linker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds with at least one blunt end comprising at least one 3?-end of formula wherein X is O or S R1 and R2 are independently OH, NH2, SH, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms and functional groups, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S or a functional group selected from the group OH, NH2, SH, carboxylic acid or ester; or R1 and R2 may be of formula Y-Z where Y is O, N, S and Z is H, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S; and wherein said double-stranded RNA mediates RNA interference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular beacon in the form of a hairpin oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide analogue comprising a first nucleotide sequence containing two or more aromatic or heteroaromatic ring systems P able to form an excimer or exciplex; a second sequence (the loop) consisting of an oligonucleotide probe able to hybridise with a target polynucleotide; and a third sequence containing one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic ring systems X, wherein at least one aromatic ring system X interacts with two aromatic ring systems P of the first sequence inhibiting excimer or exciplex formation. The invention further relates to a method for detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide using such a molecular beacon, and to a kit comprising a molecular beacon of the invention for use in this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds with at least one blunt end comprising at least one 3?-end of Formula (I): wherein X is O or S R1 and R2 are independently OH, NH2, SH, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms and functional groups, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S or a functional group selected from the group OH, NH2, SH, carboxylic acid or ester; or R1 and R2 may be of formula Y-Z where Y is O, N, S and Z is H, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S; and wherein said double-stranded RNA mediates RNA interference. Preferred 3?end modifications are: phosphate, phosphorothioate, abasic ribonucleoside, hydroxyphopyl phosphodiester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an oligomeric compound, comprising introduction of a lipophilic capping group to an unreacted reactive group, suitable for chain elongation, of a not elongated oligomeric compound intended to be elongated in a preceeding chain-elongation step, by reacting a lipophilic capping compound with said unreacted reactive group, which lipophilic capping group is not removable under the applied conditions of the synthesis and work-up of the oligomeric compound; and which not elongated oligomeric compound capped with said lipophilic capping group can be separated from said oligomeric compound on a hydrophobic stationary phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to deoxyribo- and ribo-oligonucleotides and derivatives thereof, as well as pharmaceutical preparations, therapies, diagnostics and commercial research reagents in relation to disease states which respond to modulation of the synthesis of the enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC). In particular, the invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide derivatives specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids relating to (preferably human) SAMDC. These oligonucleotides and their derivatives have been found to modulate the synthesis of SAMDC in cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cyclic terpyridine-lanthanide complexes having 8 nitrogen atoms and 10 carbon atoms in the macrocycle and containing a functional group in the terpyridine moiety. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of cyclic terpyridine-lanthanide complexes through the condensation of terpyridine hydrazines with pyridine-2,6-dialdehydes or -ketones. The compounds can be complexed with oligonculeotides and are useful in the sequence-specific cleavage of RNA.